Alamein El - Battlefield General : El Alamein 1942

In many respects the campaigns in North Africa, which would last between 1940 and 1943, had started as a sideshow. In the aftermath of the defeat of France in 1940 Axis control stretched all the way from Vichy French Morocco in the west to Italian Libya in the south. The prize asset of North Africa was Egypt and its Suez Canal. Control of the Mediterranean was the ultimate goal.

An Italian offensive launched on 13 September 1940 into Egypt from Libya had faltered within days. This precipitated the first British offensive, which lasted from 9 December 1940 until 7 February 1941. This too petered out as units were taken from North Africa to prop up Greece and ultimately Crete, both of which would be lost.

By 1941 Rommel had appeared on the scene in North Africa. With limited resources he would transform the fortunes of the Axis in the theatre. He launched his own first offensive on 24 March 1941, managing to penetrate the border regions of Egypt. Stalemate was achieved by late May. A renewed British attempt was mounted on 18 November 1941, which pushed Rommel back almost to where he had begun, deep into Libya, by the end of the year.

Rommels last major offensive took place on 21 January 1942. This time it swept deep into Egypt, threatening Alexandria and Cairo and the vitally-important Suez Canal. In addition to this, the successes of Rommel threatened a potential link-up with Axis forces driving deep into southern Russia. The vast Middle Eastern oilfields were under threat; if they were to be lost Britains hopes of continuing the struggle, largely alone in Europe and the Mediterranean, would be over.

Rommel knew that time was not on his side; he had to reach the Suez Canal soon, but resistance stiffened and by 7 July he had reached the outermost limits of his advance at El Alamein, short of Alexandria.

Rommel had faced a succession of Allied commanders; now he faced a new one, in the shape of Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery. Montgomery had just ten weeks to reinforce, reorganise, re-equip and retrain his forces before launching his own offensive.

Montgomery knew that Rommels lines of supply were stretched to breaking point. He knew they lacked aircraft and tanks and that petrol was limited. Above all, the Allies had access to the German secret codes.

Despite all of this Rommel launched an attack on Alam el Halfa on 30 August 1942. Montgomery was ready for this and counterattacked, driving Rommel back beyond El Alamein. It was the opportunity he had been waiting for; the new line offered Montgomery secure flanks. He could now prepare for his own major offensive.

Montgomery resisted Winston Churchills increasingly desperate demands to attack. He knew he needed time to be certain of success. Churchill wanted the offensive to be launched over the full moon period in September but Montgomery chose the October full moon. He had seven weeks left to prepare Operation Lightfoot.

Carefully Montgomery concealed the preparations and the build up of men and equipment. By the middle of October his Eighth Army had swollen to over 200,000 men, supported by 1,351 tanks. Against him Rommel could muster 100,000 men and 510 tanks. Many of the infantry were Italian, as were 300 of the tanks.

There would be another distinct advantage for Montgomery in the forthcoming battle. Rommels health was failing and from late September he was on sick leave in Germany. Facing the huge barrage and assault which began at 2140 on 23 October was General Georg Stumme. Stumme had been well briefed by Rommel and stuck to his orders. On 24 October Stumme was carrying on a reconnaissance of the front lines when he ran into British troops; although he was not hit he died from a heart attack. Temporarily General Ritter von Thoma took command of the Axis forces until Rommel could be rushed back to North Africa.

If you wish to take the role of Montgomery begin reading from page 1. If you wish to take the role of Rommel on page 111.